To welcome the 2026 Children’s Day long weekend and encourage parent child reading while deepening marine education, the Taichung City Government Tourism and Travel Bureau has joined hands with the Taichung Aquarium to launch the “Book Drive: Donate Books for Free Admission to the Taichung Aquarium” campaign, inviting the public to share reading resources through book donations so that children can cultivate reading habits while exploring the marine world and enjoy a meaningful Children’s Day holiday.
The Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that the event will run from April 3 to April 6, 2026. Members of the public may first make reservations for the limited event package on the official website of the Taichung Aquarium and enter the aquarium according to their reserved time slot. By donating two books on site that meet the specified requirements, visitors may redeem one free admission for a child aged 6 and above but under 12. Each session is limited to 50 participants. As spaces are limited, parents are advised to make reservations in advance. Each child participating in the event must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Director Mei-Hsiu Chen of the Tourism and Travel Bureau stated that through the “donate books for admission” approach, the event not only allows book resources to be circulated and shared, but also aims to guide children to develop reading habits during their visit to the aquarium and further understand marine life and the importance of marine environmental conservation. During the Children’s Day long weekend, the aquarium will also offer a variety of parent child interactive experiences and exhibits. Through an approach that combines education with entertainment, children will be able to broaden their horizons through observation and exploration and create warm and unforgettable holiday memories with their families.
The Tourism and Travel Bureau noted that the Taichung Aquarium takes “From Taichung’s Rivers to the Oceans of the World” as its curatorial theme and adopts an innovative open exhibit design, breaking away from the traditional enclosed aquarium format and allowing visitors to observe marine life at closer range. The aquarium features six major themed exhibition areas: the penguin exhibit area, jellyfish themed exhibition area, Taichung river exhibition area, indoor wetland tidal experience area, dazzling coral exhibition area, and Taiwan’s first 360 degree fully transparent “shark mixed reality exhibit tank”.
In addition, the aquarium has revealed that its six Magellanic penguins have successfully paired up and laid four eggs, adding a new highlight to the venue and attracting many family visitors. The Tourism and Travel Bureau invites children and adults alike to visit the Taichung Aquarium during the Children’s Day long weekend and enjoy a wonderful time filled with both knowledge and fun through the dual experience of reading and marine exploration.